God-Touched

The Prisoners

In which Mike, Sanura, and Malif chat with the suspects

STOur heroes tracked Sheila Rodriguez to the seemingly abandoned church and, after much unintentional good-cop/bad-cop interplay, convinced her that what she’d done was wrong and that she must atone for it. How she is to atone for it is still being debated over. At Joanna’s urging, they group traveled to the jail to find a way to free Angela and Naomi, two scions who are suspects in the arson.

STJoanna has possessed the body of the desk sergeant and gotten you entry for a visit to the prisoners.

MikeMike would follow the ‘desk sergeant’ to the cell where the two were being held.

SanuraSanura eyes the others as they all seem divided over what to do. Visiting the girls seems smart though to find out what they know before proceeding perhaps. “So.. who is going in and reporting back?” she murmurs as her arms cross over her chest.

MalifMalif suggests SHeila should wait in the SUV with Harry, and follows the desk sarge inside.

MikeMike would go as well.

SanuraSanura nods a bit and picks up her carrier for Crook to hop in. She’d make an attempt to take him in with her if she could but would run him back out to the car if need be.

STCrook heads right past the carrier and jumps out of the car. He pauses to flick his tail before proceeding onward. A single crow flies up from Boudicca’s retinue, landing atop the barbed wire and looking on. The guard dogs glance Crook’s way, clearly tempted but too well-trained to do anything about it.

SanuraSanura laughs a little and heads in with the guys, her expression sobering as she takes in the jailhouse and considers the poor girls held inside for a crime they didn’t commit.

MikeMike’s face is rather somber and focused, not like how he had been before.

STThe desk sergeant takes them past the front area straight into the jail, nodding at guards as if he knows what he’s doing. The jail itself contains two main wings, one for men and one for women, as well as a third, smaller wing that contains two short-term holding tanks, with male prisoners on the left and women on the right. Gray steel bars partition off one cell from another. A broad hallway down the center of each wing gives the police plenty of room to maneuver new prisoners down to their cells without being at risk from those already inside. The floor is smoothly poured industrial cement. Inside each holding cell are a number of benches bolted to the walls.

MalifMalif keeps a calm, matter of fact demeanor as he follows the sarge, master of the poker face.

MikeMike looks around a bit, curious. He then looks around to see if they’re the only ones there, then if they were alone, he would talk to the ‘desk sergeant.’ “Do you know which cell they’re in?”

STA wolf whistle pierces the air over the dull murmur of prisoners. Mere moments later, there’s a yelp of pain and a shout: “Hey! Guards! There’s a fucking CAT in here! Guards!”

STThe desk seargent keeps alert. “They’ll be taken to the meeting room. You never visit a prisoner in their cell.”

MikeMike sighs. “What the hell… and you say Joanna was out of control…” he says, looking at Sanura.

SanuraSanura wears a slight frown but doesn’t seem terrible concerned despite a few cat calls from male prisoners. She’s silent, listening to the conversation and simply waiting to get to the more important prisoners. She smirks softly at Crook and shakes her head. “He’s a therapy cat.” She arches a brow to Mike. "She was.. "

STThe desk sergeant flings a glare over his shoulder. “I’m right here, you know.”

STCrook is nowhere to be seen. Sneaky sneaky!

SanuraSanura shrugs softly “You were” she repeats.

Mike“I suppose it’s better than nothing…” He then whispers. “But we’ll need privacy to be able to talk without anyone knowing what’s going on…”

SanuraSanura shakes her head softly “Privacy would be nice, but we can manage sublty if we must”

ST“I’ll do what I can.” The meeting room is bland: beige linoleum floor, cigarette burn-scarred Formica-topped table, unremarkable plastic chairs. A large mirror along one wall is clearly a two-way window. There are no windows that look on the outside here, and the doors are locked before the Scions are admitted, and again after they are inside.

MalifMalif looks curiously to see if the two prisoners are already there, and who they’d be dealing with.

MikeMike would talk to Malif and Sanura first before they got in there. “Let me talk first… I feel like I owe it to them somehow… I don’t know…”

STThe meeting room is currently empty. Sergeant-Joanna stands there, looking around and absentmindedly picking at his nails. That one small nervous action belies the air of calm and confidence that he’d been maintaining thus far.

STThe flourescent light above emits a subtle buzz. It’s as if that one noise is singlehandedly winding the tension tighter.

MikeMike moves over to the sergeant. “Easy… officer… we’ll take care of things.” He’d been in places like this before. There was always security cameras watching and listening to everything.

MalifMalif shrugs to Mike’s request, not understanding it but not having any objections either.

STThe sergeant’s gaze snaps to Mike. He looks around briefly before murmuring, “I have to see them. Tell them who you are. Tell them that I’m looking after them. Then I’ll go.”

SanuraSanura arches a dark brow to Mikes words but her own shoulders lift slightly, unless he started to really foul things up she supposed there was no harm in letting him have his way.

MikeMike lowers his voice to just below a normal whisper. “Careful you don’t reveal too much… if the cameras see you and see you acing odd, it could arouse suspicion…”

ST“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that,” whispers the sergeant.

STIt’s not much longer before the suspects are brought in. The two women are both young. One is blonde, blue-eyed, short, slight of build and imbued with a nervous energy that has her pacing the short space from one end of the room to the other once she’s let go, as if she literally can’t sit still. The other is taller and lanky, with high cheekbones, black hair, and piercing dark eyes.

SanuraSanura looks over the two young women and gives them a small smile, attempting to be reassuring perhaps.

Sanura[doubt they’re lower legend then me but what would Psycic Profiler gain me?]

STPsychic Profiler: Neither woman is lower Legend so you can’t glean anything specific, but the black-haired one is just as powerful as you, and the blonde one moreso.

STSergeant-Joanna approaches, his eyes flicking briefly to the cameras before looking intently at the black-haired woman. The other pauses and steps forward, ready to act, but stops herself as she glances at the guards. The sergeant keeps his distance but puts his hands upon the table’s surface, dips his head a little, and murmurs, “Raven’s daughter. These are… peers. They’re seeking the ones responsible for the… disaster.” The black-haired woman narrows her eyes, then lifts her chin a little as comprehension floods her expression. She nods curtly. The sergeant steps away and regards the entire group in general. “You have fifteen minutes,” the sergeant says, loud and clear, before leaving the room.

SanuraPursing her lips softly she stands a little straighter and waits to see what will be said.

MikeMike looks at the two women, his eyes looking over the pair of them. He then gives them a smile and a nod. He would then look at the guard and smile. “Would you be a gentleman to these ladies and bring them some water? It’s rather hot in here.” He removes his jacket, placing it on the back of one of the chairs as he sits down. “So… I know a little bit about the both of you… but you know nothing of me. My name is Sam. Sam Eddy Saturday.” He emphasized the name a little bit, kind of smushing Sam and Eddy together. “These are my associates. But we’re not important right now. What’s important is that we’re here to find out the truth. Now… looking over the scene of the… incident… we gained a little more insight as to… other parties. But what we’re interested in… is what you can tell us… anything you may have told anyone else here asking. I assume you’ve been drilled over and over again for information, them trying to get information out of you when you’ve done nothing wrong. So… I want you to recount the day as you recall it. And don’t delve TOO deeply now. I don’t want your family history. Just the facts.” He spoke calmly, reserved, as if he was talking like one of those Good Cop interrogators.

SanuraSighing softly she finds a plastic chair and takes a seat, crossing one leg over the other she listens intently to the girls responces.

MalifMalif remains standing, but leans on the wall casually, giving the girls a reassuring smile.

ST“Saturday, huh?” says the black-haired woman.
The blonde one approaches the table. “Okay, who the hell are you, exactly? And what the hell kind of name is Saturday? And what’s up with the brute squad over there?” Her questions are rapid-fire, reminiscent of Harry’s rhythm of speech.
“Angela,” chides the first. Angela falls silent, crossing her arms. The other regards Mike again. “Mr. Saturday, I’m Naomi Laughing Crow. There’s a lot more here than can be explained in fifteen minutes. You’re going to have to be more specific.”
“Naomi,” pleads Angela. They give each other a look that communicates more than any verbal exchange. It’s clear they they do this sort of thing a lot. Angela relaxes a little.

MikeMike laughs. “It’s okay, Naomi. Your friend’s just being cautious. It’s perfectly normal. Okay, then… being more specific is something I can do. The incident was an orchestrated ordeal. Something like that is way more than two ORDINARY girls like yourselves could accomplish… so I asked myself… what sort of person COULD do such a thing? So after a bit more digging, I found the site of what looked to be a fight… and evidence of at least two someones leaving the premises, as well as finding out the identity of one Joanna Devereaux.” As he says her name, his eyes jerk over to the door that the ‘desk sergeant’ left in. “Evidence also supports that you two were near the start of the flame… so I ask you. Did you see the individuals that would have fled the scene?”

Sanura Sanura purses her lips and takes out a emory board, scraping it over her nails as she listens.

STComprehension takes the blood from Angela’s face. She straightens and composes herself quickly but remains silent, letting Naomi do the talking.
“Yes. And then some.” Naomi pauses, considering her next response. “And you’re right about the incident being orchestrated. We have reason to believe that this is connected to a series of kidnappings of other such… ordinary girls and boys.”

MalifMalif nods at those words. “Yes, we’d heard something like that ourselves. Do you girls know anything about a Father O’Brien?”

SanuraSanura perks up some as it seems they’re getting to the meat of the matter. Her gaze fixing on the two girls once again.

STAngela clenches her fists. “Do we know him? He’s the frakkin’ mastermind.”
Naomi glances briefly at Angela and nods. “The spider at the center of the web,” she adds.

Malif“Yes, we thought as much. Do you have a ny information on how we can get to him, and where he brings these kids?”

SanuraSanura gives a bit of a nod, it had seemed likely from the first. “More so just what he want’s them for.. world domination or some other strange idea?”

MikeMike holds up a hand to Sanura and Malif. “Let’s start with a full name… do you know it?”

SanuraSanura looks over to Mike as if she’s about to jam a heel up his arse, her jaw clenching a moment before she reminds herself more important matters are at hand.

ST“We were in the process of finding that out,” Naomi replies. “Both of those things. All we know is what children have gone missing, as well as the identities of their… more prestigous parents.”
Angela regards Mike. “Father Joshua O’Brien, or so he’s introduced himself. Haven’t got much more on him. He’s got resources, the kind of resources that allow him to find and take these children… and get off scot-free.” Her gaze falls to the ground. Naomi grows solemn as well.

SanuraSanura nods softly “You’ve done well girls.. tell me is there anything else you remember? Something as simple as a feeling about the Father.. are you certain he reports to no one?”

Malif“Or where we can find him. Or the missing one’s parents?”

SanuraSanura gives a faint nod again to Malifs questions, waiting patiently for the girls to supply what answers they’re able.

MikeMike has grown silent a bit, waiting for the girls to speak.

STNaomi looks up at the other two. “I don’t know who he reports to, but it’s clear he’s got connections. And I doubt he’s the only one behind this, as it’s happening all over the world.” She pauses. “All our information is still in our hotel room.” She puts her hands on the table and slides them forward with a sigh. “If we could get to it, we’d be able to help you out more.” The corner of a hotel key card just barely pokes out from under her fingers. Angela furrows her brow, concentrating on trying not to look at the security cameras.

SanuraSanura rises and walks toward the table to help provide cover. “That’s part of the plan ladies.. we do want to help you prove your innocence. Hopefully to get any information as well of course, to further all our goals.”

MikeMike places a comforting hand on Naomi’s, letting his fingers grasp the keycard. “I promise you… we’ll have everything taken care of soon. You won’t have to be here much longer… incidentally, what hotel and room is it? I’m sure we’ve got enough in the budget to cover some of your expenses while you’re here.”

STAngela’s eyes flick briefly to Mike’s hands before resting on the table. “Already paid up, a week in advance,” she says curtly.
“Millwood Inn in Millbrae, room 737,” adds Naomi. “Help yourself to anything there you find useful.” Along with the hotel room card she passes a car key and fob.

SanuraSanura takes a few steps away once the exchange is completed. “We think we have one of the Fathers… associates.. but.. we also feel like she may be rather uninformed about the big picture. Would you ladies have any input on that?”

MikeMike quickly takes the keycard, the car key and the electronic lock. He then places his hands on his knees, breathing heavily. It was a ruse, of course. He put the items in his pocket, then waited for Sanura’s question to be answered.

Malif“Yes, have you met Sheila, from the church?”

STNervous energy again overtakes Angela as she paces around some more.
Naomi considers for a moment and shakes her head. “No. You’ve had more luck there than we have.”
Suddenly, Angela stops and whirls to the others. “Joanna,” she begins. “I thought she was…” She falters. “I mean, I saw her…” She huffs and runs a hand over an eye quickly in frustration. Naomi rises and goes over to Angela, giving her a long hug. After the hug is broken, Angela takes a deep breath. “Did she make it out after all?”

MalifMalif shakes his head sadly. “Unfortunately not, but our friend here has the talents needed to communicate with such regardless, if you take my meaning.”

MikeMike nods a bit. “I’m also sure… that you noticed the sergeant that left… he addressed you as Daughter of Raven… I wonder how he could have known that…?” He gives her a wink then stands up. “Well… I think we have all the information we’ll need. Naomi, Angela… hang in there. You’ll be out of here before you know it.” He gives them a smile, then looks at the other two. “Unless there was something else you two wanted to ask them.”

Malif“No, I think we’re good for now. We really do need to go before your terrible acting gets us all in trouble.”

SanuraSanura considers a moment “Actually.. yes, I was wondering, who was teaching you, what were their aims for you?” she questions curiously as her brows arch ever so slightly.

ST“Pardon?” asks Naomi, slightly puzzled.

Mike“The school. The teachers there. What were they teaching you there? That’s what my colleague was asking.”

Malif“Good question. We’d heard it was a …special…school.”

STShe exchanges a look with Angela. “Then you heard wrong.” Naomi pauses. “And I’m a little too old to be going to a high school.” She smiles wryly but it’s still shadowed by solemnity.
“Don’t look at me. I graduated from Hillsdale High last year,” Angela says, rubbing her arm.

MikeMike just shakes his head. “Nevermind then. That’s all from us, then.” He looks at the mirror. “We’re ready now.”

ST“Wait,” says Naomi.

MikeMike stops and looks at Naomi. “Yes?”

STShe looks at Angela. Angela’s eyes widen. The blonde then shakes her head vehemently. “No. I told you, I’m not going anywhere without you.”
“Angela, you encrypted your files.”
“No. I won’t—I can’t.”
“Joanna’s watching over me. I’ll be fine.”
Angela grabs Naomi’s hands, squeezing them tightly but not painfully. “Naomi, I can’t. You and I are… what’s left… and… and I can’t.”
“This isn’t about us. It’s about the children.”
A tense silence passes between them.

Malif“Be assured we’ll be doing everything we can to clear this all up and get you both free.”

STNaomi looks to Mike, Sanura, and Malif in turn. “Meet us on the other side of the fence. Angela’s got something to show you.”

MalifMalif just nods, curious how that would be accomplished, but not saying anything.

MikeMike nods as well.

STThe guards escort you out of the meeting room. The desk sergeant is standing there, arms crossed and hips jutted in a distinctly feminine manner. He straightens as you come out, and nods again to the guards. “Follow me.”

MikeMike does so.

MalifMalif glances at the hutting hips and raises an eyebrow pointedly towards sarge.

STAs they proceed once more through the jail, Crook brushes against Sanura’s legs.

STThe sergeant nods quickly and proceeds onwards. Soon enough they’re back at the entrance to the jail, the distant sounds of snarling and barking dogs occasionally ringing through the entryway.

MalifMalif waitsuntil they’re alone before quietly saying “We’re meeting them just outside the fence, I suspect they’ve done somethingw ith powers that have upset the dogs.”

Mike“Possibly… speaking of powers… are you gonna stay here with them or come with us?”

MikeMike is looking at the sergeant.

SanuraAwaits Joanna’s reply, wondering how long she could inhabit a body

Malif“That may also be what is upsetting the dogs, perhaps.”

Malif“And you’ll have to be careful of those hip stances when in a male body….”

STThe sergeant pauses to consider. “I… don’t know. Fifteen minutes isn’t long enough to do a whole lot of anything.” Another pause. “Do you think… this Alejandro could help at all?” At Malif’s words, the sergeant straightens a little and clears his throat. “Oh. Right.” He crosses his arms around his abdomen, does a double-take, and crosses them behind his back in a military manner.

SanuraSanura snorts softly and shakes her head, “fellow will never love ot down”

SanuraPicking up her pace she walks towards the exit and then the vehicle.

STAlejandro is there, but Sofia and Boudicca aren’t. He explains the absence by saying that Boudicca is giving Sofia a lesson since she couldn’t make it to her tutor. He and Joanna are gonna hang back and discuss things while the meeting takes place.